Improvement in building-blocks



UNITED STATES PATENT I OFFICE.

JOHN L. BOONE, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

IMPROVEMENT m BUILDING-BLOCKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 127,554, dated J unc 4, 1872.

SPECIFICATION. To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN L. BOONE, of the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, have'invented an Improved Building- Block; and I do hereby declare that the following is a specification of the same.

My inventionrelates to an improved block for building purposes, which is admirably adapted for use in the construction of submarine walls and the walls of fortifications, and is especially applicable as a foundation for houses and like structures where, by reason of the location of the building, thefoundation will be laid in a wet or damp soil, where wood would soon decay.

For making my improved block I take fiber, either animal or vegetable, and thoroughly saturate it with heated asphaltum, either liquid or granular. The fiber thus saturated I then place in molds and subject to pressure, hydrauli'c-or otherwise, so as to compress it into a coherent mass. During the compression, or just after, while the surface of the blockis yet warm, I sprinkle over it a coating of marbledust, lime, or other finely-pulverized dust, and again compress the vblock so as to unite the powder or dust with the outer surface ofthe block, and thus form a smooth coating or film over its entire surface. By this means I can provide the block with a beautiful finish equal to the finest stone, and also protect it from the heat of the sun.

This block will possess a degree of elasticity which will render it of great value in the construction of fortifications, as its yielding nature will cause it to receive a cannon-ball without damage. Its durability is also another point in its favor.

The water-repellent nature of this block will render it especially useful for building submarine walls, sea-walls, bulk-heads, bridge-piers, and like structures.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

1. A block for building purposes, composed of the materials specified and formed into the desired shape by compression in molds.

2. The process above described for manufacturing building-blocks from the materials named.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal.

JOHN L. BOONE. [L. s]

Witnesses:

O. M. RICHARDSON, GEO. H. STRONG. 

